Jane Bown's portraits

Jane Bown's portraits

Since her first, brilliant portrait of Bertrand Russell appeared in the Observer 60 years ago, Jane Bown has photographed some of the world's most famous faces.

To order a copy of Jane Bown's book, Exposures, for £23 with free UK p&p, go to guardian.co.uk/bookshop or call 0330 333 6847. An exhibition of her portraits will be held at Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 from 22 October to 6 December, admission free

Jane Bown on photographing Quentin Crisp at home in Chelsea in 1978: “I took him in his flat and it was filthy, absolutely disgusting – though he was perfectly pleasant. It was good to get out quickly nevertheless”

Samuel Beckett. Pictured leaving the Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London, via the stage door, after rehearsals of Happy Days starring Billie Whitelaw, as part of the Beckett season to celebrate his 70th birthday. April 1976

For 60 years, Jane Bown has been capturing the world as she sees it, from her iconic portraits - John Lennon, Bertrand Russell, Bjork - to her heartfelt images of the everyday - a Grimsby docker, a gypsy child, a ball of string. But she was never happier than when out and about in search of the perfect 'one-shot' moment. Germaine Greer introduces 'Unknown Bown, 1947 to 1967' - a book and exhibition of her most timeless work.